Tirupati temple recorded a stunning Rs 96.98 crore in donations in a single day, as devotees rushed to give before a new donor policy came into force.
The surge on July 15 was driven by the change in rules. The revised policy removes lifetime privileges for new donors and limits benefits to 20 years for individuals and 15 years for institutions. Earlier, donors enjoyed benefits such as special darshan, seva access, accommodation, and gifts for life. Under the new system, darshans will be managed through an online Donor Management System, and several privileges have been reduced to improve access for ordinary pilgrims.
Almost 2,460 donors contributed on that day. More than 1,200 gave between Rs 1 and 10 lakh, while another 1,246 donated between Rs 10 and 25 lakh. Two devotees each gave over Rs 1 crore. The rush reflects how many donors wanted to secure lifetime benefits before the midnight deadline.
The temple has seen a steady rise in donations in recent years, with hundi collections crossing Rs 1,738 crore in 2025-26. The new policy aims to bring greater transparency, uniformity, and fairness in managing donor privileges.
Tirupati temple’s record Rs 97 crore haul in one day shows both the scale of devotion and the impact of policy change.
